EFFORTS to reduce the high levels of teenage pregnancies in the North-East appear to be working, according to figures.

Research by public health doctors in the region shows there has been a sharp decline in conceptions over three years.

Dr Bill Kirkup, regional director of public health in the North-East, welcomed the drop from 56.3 conceptions per 1,000 girls aged under 18 in 1998, to 50.6 in 2000.

The dip in teen pregnancies represents a ten per cent improvement over the period, only bettered by the East Midlands in England and well ahead of the national average improvement of 6.2 per cent.

Dr Kirkup said: "A lot of hard work has been going on for some time to tackle this problem and it would appear that this is now starting to pay dividends. Rest assured, we will not become complacent, though."

He said the reduction was encouraging but must be established that this is a real downward trend and not just a statistical blip.

"We must not forget that the North-East has a number of hotspots where the rate is among the highest in the country," said Dr Kirkup.

Some of the more radical approaches to sexual health training in the region will be outlined at a half-day event at the Three Tuns Hotel, Durham City, on Friday.

Called Celebrating Success, the event is organised by Judith Stonebridge, regional teenage pregnancy co-ordinator.

The initiatives include:

* Creating a sex and relationships education programme for young people and those who work with them in Langbaurgh.

* Delivering sex and relationship education in Gateshead.

* Building skills in sexual negotiation in Newcastle and North Tyneside.

The audience will hear from three teenage mothers from Scotswood, Newcastle, and details about a project to provide young parents with suitable accommodation in Darlington.